- Details
- Written by: Roger Fulton
- Last Updated: 03 Jan 2014
Overview
Canyons is a relatively recent purpose-built ski resort that has grown to become Utah's largest single ski area. It is located just 6.5 km from the heart of Park City, and less than 50 km from Salt Lake City, close to two other separate Park City area ski resorts, Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort; in fact the slopes of the three domains rub up against one another at some points and it is physically possible to ski from one to the other, although Deer Valley doesn't officially recognise the practice and is a strictly controlled skier-only area (i.e. snowboarding is prohibited there). Snowboarders are however very welcome at Canyons, which boasts some of Utah's best freestyle facilities plus half-a-dozen natural halfpipes.
Park City is regarded as the area's principal resort town, but Canyons does have its own compact base-area resort village with slope-side hotels and condominiums plus an adequate selection of shops, restaurants, and bars. A regular and efficient shuttle-bus service connects Canyons Resort with downtown Park City.
Ski area
Canyons lies in the Wasatch Range that mark the western edge of the greater Rocky Mountains. Snowfall history in this region is amazingly consistent and averages an impressive 900 cm annually. Canyons ski area is particularly renowned for its natural beauty and its wealth of gladed areas, plus of course the many powder-rich rideable gullies from which the area derives its name.
Beginners are treated to their own separate spacious zone at the mid-altitude Red Pine Lodge services level, at the top of the Red Pine Gondola that rises from the central base area. Not only does this mean that learners can share in the thrill of being up on the mountain from day one, but it also ensures reliable snow conditions on the beginners' slopes; progression pistes are also then closer to hand, the chairlift-served nearby High Meadow offering a perfect proving ground.
Intermediates naturally have the greatest choice of accessible terrain across the entire domain, ranging from long well-groomed 'cruiser' pistes to perfectly pitched ungroomed inter-piste powder fields and glade areas ideal for skill-building.
Advanced skiers and riders come to Canyons for the glades and the gullies and the chutes (couloirs), especially in the Murdock Peak sector and the area's summit sector of Ninety-Nine 90 - alluding to its peak altitude of 9990 feet above sea level (3045 m). Heli-skiing/boarding is also available from a landing pad near to the Red Pine Lodge, offering guided off-piste expeditions deep into the surrounding Wasatch Range.
Off the slopes and apres ski
Canyons Resort village is a pleasant enough base, with an adequate selection of eateries, bars and basic shops, focused on a compact central pedestrian area. Off-slope leisure facilities are provided by the Canyons Resort Spa and Health Club at the Grand Summit Hotel, which features an outdoor heated pool, hot tubs, a full-service wellness and beauty spa, plus a 24-hour fitness suite.
Apres ski is very laid-back and limited to just a couple of base-area diner-bars, the central Umbrella Bar being the prime spot; nightlife in the resort is equally conservative and is mainly focused on convivial dining in the resort's handful of good restaurants. Downtown Park City offers the nearest bright lights for more animated nightlife and is just 6.5 km away by bus or taxi.
NB: 21 is the minimum legal drinking age in Utah, plus you must register for [temporary] membership of all bars that serve alcohol.
